SB87 Alabama 2015 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Gerald O. Dial

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2015

Title

Ten Commandments, display of on state property and at public schools, authorized, const. amend.

Summary

SB87 would amend Alabama’s Constitution to allow the display of the Ten Commandments on state property and on property owned or administered by public schools or public bodies, while protecting religious freedom.

What This Bill Does

It proposes a constitutional amendment authorizing the display of the Ten Commandments on state property and on property owned or managed by public schools or public bodies. The display would must comply with constitutional requirements and could be intermingled with historical or educational items. It also guarantees freedom of religion, stating that no one shall be compelled to attend or support worship or a minister, and that civil and political rights cannot be diminished or enlarged based on religious beliefs; and it would prohibit public funds from being spent defending the amendment’s constitutionality. An election would be held to vote on the amendment with a described ballot measure.

Who It Affects

• State government and public schools/public bodies that own or manage property: would be allowed to display the Ten Commandments on their property.
• General residents of Alabama: retain freedom of religion and protection from being compelled to attend or support worship, with civil and political rights not tied to religious beliefs.

Key Provisions

• Property belonging to the state may be used to display the Ten Commandments, and the right of a public school or public body to display the Ten Commandments on property it owns or administers is not restrained or abridged.
• The Ten Commandments shall be displayed in a manner that complies with constitutional requirements, including being intermingled with historical or educational items in a larger display.
• No public funds may be expended in defense of the constitutionality of this amendment.
• Every person shall be at liberty to worship God according to the dictates of his or her own conscience; no person shall be compelled to attend or contribute to the erection or support of any place of religious worship or to support any minister.
• The civil and political rights, privileges, and capacities of no person shall be diminished or enlarged on account of his or her religious belief.
• An election shall be held to vote on the proposed amendment, with a ballot description provided.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 24, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Constitutional Amendments